Niger Launches Investigation After Martian Meteorite from Agadez Sells in New York for $4.3M — Click for Details

NIAMEY, July 17, 2025 (Cameroon Concord) — The government of Niger has announced the opening of a formal investigation following the sale of a rare Martian meteorite discovered in the Agadez region at a New York auction for $4.3 million, according to a statement from the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

The meteorite, weighing approximately 24 kilograms, is believed to be the largest known fragment from Mars ever found on Earth. It was unearthed in the Sahara desert near Agadez, in northern Niger — a region long known for meteorite discoveries — before making its way onto the international market.

On Wednesday, July 16, the meteorite was sold to an undisclosed buyer at an auction in New York.

Government officials in Niamey expressed concern about how such a significant national and scientific treasure left Niger and reached foreign hands without proper authorization. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Justice have been tasked with tracing the chain of custody and determining if any laws on the protection of natural and cultural heritage were violated.

“This is a matter of national patrimony and scientific significance,” the Council of Ministers said in its statement. “The government is determined to shed light on the circumstances under which this meteorite was removed from Niger and sold abroad, and to hold accountable all those involved.”

Meteorites found in the deserts of Niger, Algeria, and Libya are highly prized by collectors and researchers for their rarity and composition. Experts say fragments originating from Mars are among the most scientifically valuable, offering clues about the red planet’s geology and history.

The Agadez find has now drawn international attention, not only for its record-breaking price but also for renewed questions about the ethical and legal trade in meteorites, particularly those collected from developing nations.

Should meteorites be treated as part of national heritage? How can Niger strengthen oversight to protect such treasures? Does the international market adequately respect the rights of source countries?